Regulators propose a health-protective legal limit for the carcinogen “TCP”

Sacramento, CA – This morning, California regulators took an important step toward protecting California communities from a highly toxic drinking water contaminant found across the state, say environmental justice advocates.

At its first public workshop on the pesticide byproduct 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP), Division of Drinking Water staff shared a preliminary proposal to set the TCP drinking water standard at the Detection Limit, which is 5 parts per trillion. Five parts per trillion (ppt) is the most health-protective standard possible. Setting the standard at this level would help protect the lives of hundreds of thousands of Californians who currently drink water contaminated by 123 TCP.

“Residents living in communities impacted by TCP contaminated water continue to worry about the health impacts of this known carcinogen, so we’re glad that the Board has started out on the right track by prioritizing health and safety and setting the standard at 5 ppt,” said Asha Kreiling, Policy and Communications Analyst at the Community Water Center.

Most TCP contamination stems from the extensive application of pesticides containing TCP that were manufactured by Shell Oil and Dow Chemical Company prior to the 1990s. Despite the companies’ knowledge of the health risks, they failed to remove the ingredient from their products or notify farmers and communities of the known health risks. Some public water systems have already received payment through cost-recovery litigation against Shell Oil and Dow Chemical Company, but many are waiting until the drinking water standard is established to settle their lawsuits and begin treatment for this toxin.

“This was an avoidable problem caused by two multinational companies who chose to protect their profits instead of human health,” said Andria Ventura, Toxics Program Manager at Clean Water Action. “By proposing the most protective standard possible, the Division of Drinking Water is prioritizing both public health and environmental justice, since communities can hold companies accountable for TCP water treatment costs.”

The State Water Resources Control Board will be holding additional public workshops in Bakersfield and Fresno next week to discuss the development of the drinking water standard. The Board has encouraged community members to attend to learn more about TCP and the MCL development process, and to share their initial questions and feedback.

“We are thrilled with this initial proposal from Board staff, and we will continue watching the process and working alongside impacted communities to ensure that the State Water Board prioritizes public health over corporate profits by adopting the 5 ppt drinking water standard as soon as possible,” Kreiling said.

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About The Community Water Center

The Community Water Center (CWC) is a non-profit environmental justice organization based in California’s San Joaquin Valley, whose mission is to act as a catalyst for community-driven water solutions through organizing, education, and advocacy. CWC’s fundamental goal is to ensure that all communities have access to safe, clean, and affordable water. CWC helps build strategic grassroots capacity to address water challenges in small, rural, low-income communities and communities of color. For more information, visit CWC’s website at www.communitywatercenter.organd follow us on Twitter at @CWaterC.

About Clean Water Action

Clean Water Action is a national organization, founded in 1972, that has 50,000 members in California and over one million nationwide. We empower people to take action to protect water resources, build healthy communities, and make democracy work. Visit us at www.cleanwateraction.org and follow us on Twitter at @cleanh2oaction.

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